Bush vetoes Stem Cell bill

[umalak_]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19333824/

WASHINGTON - Pushing back against the Democratic-led Congress, President Bush vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have eased restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

Democrats, who had made the stem cell legislation a top priority when they took control of the House and Senate in January, were quick to denounce the president's decision.

"This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families, just one more example of how out of touch with reality he and his party have become," Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., told the Take Back America conference of liberal activists Wednesday.

To blunt criticism, the White House said Bush is issuing an executive order directing the Health and Human Services Department to promote research into cells that – like human embryonic stem cells – also hold the potential of regenerating into different types of cells that might be used to battle disease.

"This is, certainly not an attempt to muzzle science," White House press secretary Tony Snow said. "It is an attempt, I think, to respect people's conscience on such an issue."

If the measure Bush vetoed would have become law, the White House said it would have compelled taxpayers for the first time in our history – to support the deliberate destruction of human embyros.

Snow said Bush's executive order will encourage scientists to work with the government to add research on new stem cell lines –that does not involve the creation, harming or destruction of human embryos – to the list of projects eligible for federal funding.

"The president does not believe it's appropriate to put an end to human life for research purposes," Snow said. "That's a line he will not cross."

Override the veto?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to schedule an override vote, but the date has not been set. Democrats, however, currently do not have enough votes to override Bush's veto.

Scientists were first able to conduct research with embryonic stem cells in 1998, the NIH says. There were no federal funds for the work until Bush announced on Aug. 9, 2001, that his administration would make the funds available for lines of cells that already were in existence.

Currently, states and private organizations are permitted to fund embryonic stem cell research, but federal support is limited to cells that existed as of Aug. 9, 2001. The latest bill was aimed at lifting that restriction.

The science aside, the issue has weighty political and ethical implications.

Public opinion polls show strong support for the research, and it could return as an issue in the 2008 elections.

Opponents of the latest stem cell measure insisted that the use of embryonic stem cells was the wrong approach on moral grounds _ and possibly not even the most promising one scientifically. These opponents, who applaud Bush's veto, cite breakthroughs involving medical research conducted with adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid, none of which involve the destruction of a human embryo.

This was the third veto of Bush's presidency. His first occurred last year when he rejected legislation to allow funding of additional lines of embryonic stem cells _ a measure that passed over the objections of Republicans then in control. The second legislation he vetoed would have set timetables for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq.

[matt]

*waits for xian's there is no ban on stem cells debate*

[la dj]

wow, didnt see that one coming

*sarcasm*

[Keith P]

ugh.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by matt

*waits for xian's there is no ban on stem cells debate*

There isn't. Limiting federal funding != ban. I don't agree with the veto, but it's hardly a ban. There's no limit to private funding afaik.

[-m-]

I think all news sites should have that growing messed up smiley face somewhere in the script whenever they do a Bush story.

[umalak_]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

There isn't. Limiting federal funding != ban. I don't agree with the veto, but it's hardly a ban. There's no limit to private funding afaik.

We all know that but when you look at what Bush, and others, are willing to fund with federal money versus what they won't... then there is a problem.

We all know that stem cell research isn't out-right banned and we know what the federal govt did in regards to funding the existing stem cells and blah blah blah but that isn't really the point.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by umalak_

We all know that but when you look at what Bush, and others, are willing to fund with federal money versus what they won't... then there is a problem.

No argument here.

Originally Posted by umalak_

We all know that stem cell research isn't out-right banned and we know what the federal govt did in regards to funding the existing stem cells and blah blah blah but that isn't really the point.

No, I think it is the point. This thread is about stem cell funding, so that's what we're talking about. If you want to make a thread about the larger issue of funding choices then we can talk about that - and there's plenty to be angry about - but the point of this thread is about stem cell research.

[umalak_]

the point is whatever i fucking want the point to be, i made this thread beyotch!

comin' in here talking about what my point is... muthafucka i'll cut you.

ps.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by matt

*waits for xian's there is no ban on stem cells debate*

well, there isn't a ban on it any more than there is a ban on determining xian aussie shiraz intoxication levels... though I'd support lifting such a fictional ban

Originally Posted by Dionysos

There's no limit to private funding afaik.

of course there is none

Originally Posted by umalak_

We all know that but when you look at what Bush, and others, are willing to fund with federal money versus what they won't... then there is a problem.

Agreed. However some of his policies with which you disagree in total and with which I disagree in method and manner (even if I note that he has the warrant to conduct such a messed up policy) are none the less constitutionally mandated. Stem cell research on the other hand is not.